Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has reportedly won Colombia's presidential runoff, defeating leftist Iván Cepeda and ending outgoing President Gustavo Petro's tenure. Trump and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar congratulated the apparent winner, according to N12 journalist Asaf Rozentzweig. The result is expected to restore diplomatic ties with Israel, severed by Petro in May 2024.
Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia's presidential runoff, according to reports early Monday from N12 journalist Asaf Rozentzweig, as the morning count gave him a lead over leftist Iván Cepeda. The victory ends the tenure of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024 and on Monday refused to recognize the result, alleging Israeli interference without providing evidence.
This development follows a sequence of reports The Zioneer published on Sunday June 21, beginning at 22:28 Jerusalem with exit polls projecting de la Espriella as winner with 50.1%, later updated to confirm his lead against Cepeda — who challenged the count, per the Associated Press — and his pledge to restore diplomatic ties and move the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem. By Monday 02:08 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported de la Espriella's lead and expected restoration of ties; at 03:14 Jerusalem, AP's account of the razor-thin lead was published. The Associated Press then provided cross-verification of the count. Outgoing President Petro's refusal to recognize the result, alleging interference from Israel, was reported by The Zioneer at 03:53 Jerusalem Monday.
As The Zioneer reported, former Colombian President César Gaviria endorsed de la Espriella early Monday, expressing confidence he would uphold the 1991 constitution. De la Espriella's campaign pledges to reverse Petro's diplomatic break with Israel and move the embassy to Jerusalem were reported in earlier installments of the thread, alongside betting markets giving him a 90% chance of winning on election day.
What remains open: Vote counting is still ongoing, and Petro has not provided evidence for his allegations of interference. Additionally, Petro's congressional disciplinary committee hearing — set for June 21 — is still pending, though it remains unclear if or how the transition will be affected.
7 developments
- DevelopingPro-Israel candidate Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia presidency, pledges Jerusalem embassy move
- DevelopingFormer Colombian President Gaviria endorses de la Espriella, voices trust he will uphold the 1991 constitution
- StrongColombia's Petro says election data shows 49-49 tie, alleges Israeli IP-meddling
- StrongColombian president compares Israel to Nazis, Israeli envoy Danon hits back
Source and signal
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